A Virtual Purim Concert Experience - 2021

Starring:

Noah Cook-Dubin – as George Michael

Laura Rosenthal – as Helen Reddy

Sherri James Buxton & Violet Salvini – as Jackie DeShannon

The Denmarks – as The Grateful Dead

Carol Link – as Des’ree

Steven Skoblow – as himself

Matt & Sharon Mozian – as Tom Petty & A Heartbreaker

With Lyrics by Phil Coleman!

SETLIST: Intro – Welcome from Jonathan Denmark For It’s Purim Time to the tune of: For The Longest Time, by Billy Joel – featuring the Purim Band, recorded Purim 2011 – “A Purim State of Mind, The Megillah According to Billy Joel & Elton John”, lyrics Jonathan Denmark We Won’t Obey to the tune of: Touch of Grey by The Grateful Dead – Jonathan Denmark, lyrics by Phil Coleman We Are Strong – An original Purim song by Steven Skoblow I Think We Need a Fresh Start to the tune of: Put A Little Love in Your Heart, by Jackie DeShannon – Sherri James Buxton & Violet Salvini, lyrics by Phil Coleman I Won’t Bow Down to the tune of: I Won't Back Down, by Tom Petty – Matt Mozian She Had To Be to the tune of: You Gotta Be, by Des’ree – Carol Link Hero! to the tune of: Freedom! 90 by George Michael – Noah Cook-Dubin

This is Purim! to the tune of: I Am Woman, by Helen Reddy – Laura Rosenthal, lyrics with

Norma Levine

Gotta Be – An original Purim song by Steven Skoblow These Are Bad Times to the tune of: Good Times Bad Times, by Led Zeppelin – featuring the Purim Band, recorded during Purim 2020 – “The Best of British Rock!” lyrics Jonathan Denmark With A Little Help From Our Queen to the tune of: With A Little Help From My Friends, as performed by Joe Cocker – Purim Band, recorded during Purim 2018 – “10th Anniversary Celebration – The Greatest Hits of KI Purim”, lyrics Steven Skoblow

For It’s Purim Time to the tune of: For The Longest Time, by Billy Joel – featuring the Purim Band, recorded during Purim 2011 – “A Purim State of Mind, The Megillah According to Billy Joel & Elton John” – Lyrics Jonathan Denmark Woah, oh oh oh, for it’s Purim time. Oh, oh, oh, for it’s Purim... If you’ve come to hear Klezmer today. You’d be wrong in each and every way You’ve heard our theme now, Billy Joel & Elton John wow! That how it happens for it’s Purim time. Last year we played Robert Zimmerman, you know him better as Bob Dylan And then the year before, The KI Beatles we had in store But this year’s different for it’s Purim time. Woah, oh oh oh, for it’s Purim time. Oh, oh, oh, for it’s Purim... He started playing in 1964, and since that day life has never been a bore How dull could it be, when you marry Christie Brinkley That’s how it happens when it’s Purim time But let’s not forget Sir Elton John, Who holds the record for most sales of one song Maybe we should cover him alone But Billy and Elton pair on the Face to Face tour Who knows what next year you will see? We promise it won’t be Lady Gaga or Kenny G You’ll take your chances, just focus on what this year’s theme is. That’s how it happens when it’s Purim time A Purim State of Mind here my friends Don’t blow out that lonely Candle In the Wind Say Goodbye Yellow Brick Road today A Bottle of Red is all that I hope for If you’ve come to hear Klezmer today. You’d be wrong in each and every way You’ve heard our theme now, Billy Joel & Elton John wow! That how it happens for it’s Purim time. ... Woah, oh oh oh, for it’s Purim time. Oh, oh, oh, for it’s Purim... Time!

We Won’t Obey to the tune of: Touch of Grey by The Grateful Dead Lyrics by Phil Coleman Haman’s getting surly, Jews are rising up, Talking trash to Esther, he’s so phony. Mordy’s there to plead our case, he’s the winner in this race, King’s the jury, judge, and court, 'cause that’s his right. We will get by, we will get by, Jews will get by, we will survive. Esther’s got our good king’s ear, says the words he needs to hear, Tells him Haman’s full of it, we won’t submit. Time to send him on his way, he shouldn’t live another day, Hamans then and Hamans now, we won’t obey. We will get by, we will get by, Jews will get by, we will survive. It's a lesson in time, The orange of the faker and his lies Haman’s in our midst again, a mighty mouse amongst real men It's a lesson in time We must try and tame the beast, with all our might We must gain the upper hand, save our people and our land I know that Shushan’s in a mess, time for Haman’s full arrest, Spare no effort bring him down, Haman’s run amok in town A harsher man we’ve never seen, this really is a nasty scene, The words he says are all obscene, it’s not alright. We will get by, we will get by, Jews will get by, we will survive. The noose is on the scaffold now, not again’s our fervent vow Make it fit and make it tight, he goes tonight. Oh, no, we won’t obey, for our people let us pray Wrong is wrong and right is right, we must fight. We will get by, we will get by, Jews will get by, we will survive. We will get by, we will get by, Jews will get by, we will survive.

We Are Strong – Original Song by Steven Skoblow Way back when in days of old We had trouble and we're told Real bad things comin' down Death and doom all around We were scared, didn't know If we would live or die, ya know But we stayed close, yeah we stayed tight And with God's help it turned out alright We were strong way back then Now we find that strength again It's who we are when things get rough We'll be alright. Our strength's enough We work hard, we work it out That's our strength, there's no doubt We make it right when things go wrong It's who we are. And we are strong

I Think We Need A Fresh Start, to the tune of Put A Little Love in Your Heart by Jackie DeShanon Lyrics by Phil Coleman Vashti’s a prude you see, she won’t dance nude for me I think I need a fresh start Esther’s the bomb to me, she suits me to a tee I think I need a fresh start And Shushan will she embrace And Shushan will be a better place We two as one, now we’ve just begun Haman’s the odd man out, I know what he’s all about I think I need a fresh start His life will be a wreck, we’ll hang him by his neck! I think I need a fresh start And Shushan (and Shushan) will live on in time I’m a king (I’m a king) who’s in his prime Our town (our town) will shine (will shine) Jews are free (are free), so free, ….Jews are free But Haman will come anew, Shushan will come unglued Then you will need a fresh start Jews must be on your feet, Haman will learn how to Tweet Then you will need a fresh start! And the world (and the world) will be a rougher place But the Jews (but the Jews) will be the tougher race No fear (no fear), no way (no way) You’ll see (you’ll see), ….we’ll stay! People hear, I think we need a fresh start Each and every day I think we need a fresh start For good we must pray I think we need a fresh start Stand up and fight I think we need a fresh start Jews unite I think we need a fresh start Everyone I think we need a fresh start!

I Won’t Bow Down to the tune of: I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty

Lyrics by Matt Mozian

I Won’t Bow Down Well, I won't bow down No, I won't bow down You can stand me up in Sushan town But I won't bow down No, I'll stand my ground Won't be turned around In a kingdom tryin’ to put me down Gonna stand my ground And I won't bow down (I won't back down) Hey, Esther, there ain't no easy way out (I won't back down) Hey, I will stand my ground And I won't bow down Well its just not right The kings been up all night He tells Haman to parade me around I’m gonna stand my ground And I won't back down (I won't bow down) Hey, Esther, there ain't no easy way out (I won't bow down) Hey, I will stand my ground And I won't bow down Hey Esther, there ain't no easy way out (I won't bow down) Hey, I won't bow down (I won't bow down) Hey, Esther, there ain't no easy way out (I won't bow down) Hey, I will stand my ground And I won't bow down No, I won't bow down

She Had To Be to the tune of: You Gotta Be by Des’ree, Lyrics by Carol Link

Listen as your day unfolds, starring at the virus COLD

A crisis that has called on us to HIDE

Immunity is what we seek, healthy life oh! Very sweet

Hope in the vaccination, don’t be afraid to try

You gotta breath in, you gotta breath out, you gotta slow down

You gotta stand up, you gotta stretch out, you gotta be stronger

You gotta be calm, you gotta be kind, you gotta stay together

All I know all I know, the vaccine will save the day

Mordecai learns of the plot, believes that Esther can be got

The king is just the answer to their hopeful prayers

Esther warns the king at last, courageous she will do the task

My! Oh my heh, heh, heh

She had to breathe in, she had to breathe out, she had to slow down

She had to walk in, she had to find him, she gotta sweet talking to him

She’ll change King’s mind, to save Jewish lives, so they could stay together

All I know, all I know that ESTHER saved the day

Faith is the answer, hope can help you

Enables you to face challenging times

Over coming fear, you CAN stop it …if you try too

Draw strength from the struggle, let faith be the way

She listens as the day unfolds, staring at the crisis cold

The situation calls on her to act right now

Saving lives is what she seeks, happy life so very sweet

My! Oh my …. hey, hey, hey

She had to breathe in, she had to breathe out, she had to slow down

She had to walk in, she had to find him, she gotta sweet talking to him

She’ll change King’s mind, to save Jewish lives, so they could stay together

All I know, all I know that ESTHER saved the day

You gotta breath in, you gotta breath out, you gotta slow down

You gotta stand up, you gotta stretch out, you gotta be stronger

You gotta be calm, you gotta be kind, you gotta stay together

All I know, all I know vaccine will save the day

Got to BREATH IN, Got to BREATH OUT, Got to STAND UP, Got to STRETCH OUT

Got to be CALM, Got to be KIND, All I know is that LOVE will save the day!

Hero! to the tune of: Freedom! 90 by George Michael

Lyrics by Noah Cook-Dubin

It wasn't Mordecai, not some other guy It was a heroine, her name was Esther, yessir, let's begin It wasn't Mordecai, and not some other guy She was a heroine, she gave herself up for her kin. Heaven knows we needed saving, from the villain of the day. Another anti-Semite who came around, had to be sent on his way. So what to do to save the Jews? Put on her dress and her nicest shoes to impress the sleazy king. He thought he was getting himself a trophy wife, but this woman was the real thing. She said "There's something you should know: This tricky Haman's got to go!" She gave him every little thing, she laid her case out to the king. And when the hour seemed so dark, she found the courage in her heart. So people understand, the one who saved us was not a man! All she had to do, convince the king, and save the Jews, somehow. All she had to be, was the perfect little wife, with the giant strength to lead. Hero! (It wasn't Mordecai) Hero! (And not some other guy) Hero! She was a heroine, and Esther was her name. Hero! (It wasn't Mordecai) Hero! (And not some other guy) Hero! She was a heroine, she gave herself up for her kin. Who could blame her for feeling conflicted, about the choice that she had to make? Give her future and body to a man, in a marriage that she knew was fake. What would become of Esther's life? Hope it's not the same as the king's last wife, because he had her sent away. But Esther quieted the fears and smiled through her tears, and she came up with the strength to say: She said "There's something you should know: This tricky Haman's got to go!" She gave him every little thing, she laid her case out to the king. And when the hour seemed so dark, she found the courage in her heart. So people understand, the one who saved us was not a man! All she had to do, convince the king, and save the Jews, somehow. All she had to be, was the perfect little wife, with the giant strength to lead. Hero! (It wasn't Mordecai) Hero! (And not some other guy) Hero! She was a heroine, and Esther was her name. Hero! (It wasn't Mordecai) Hero! (And not some other guy) Hero! She was a heroine, she gave herself up for her kin. Normally in all these stories, men come to save the day. But from what I've found here on the ground it doesn't happen much that way. That's what you get, Haman, for messing with us!

That's what you get, Haman, that's what you get for messing with us! All she had to do, convince the king, and save the Jews, somehow. All she had to be, was the perfect little wife, with the giant strength to lead. Hero! (It wasn't Mordecai) Hero! (And not some other guy) Hero! She was a heroine, and Esther was her name. Hero! (It wasn't Mordecai) Hero! (And not some other guy) Hero! She was a heroine, and Esther was her name. Hero! (It wasn't Mordecai) Hero! (And not some other guy) Hero! She was a heroine, and Esther was her name. Hero! (It wasn't Mordecai) Hero! (And not some other guy) Hero! She was a heroine, she gave herself up for her kin.

This is Purim! to the tune of I Am Woman, by Helen Reddy

Lyrics by Laura Rosenthal and Norma Levine

This is Purim! WE ARE HERE!

We are so grateful, filled with cheer!

And we love to dress in costumes and pretend!

And we joyfully imbibe! Because we’re members of the tribe!

Who celebrate our liberation once again!

Oh, Esther was wise!

Sent Haman’s plans right down the drain!

Mordechai’s advice to Esther did explain!

That she had to, had to alert the King!

She was strong! He was convincible!

This is Purim!

Mordechai just wouldn’t bow!

Then rotten Haman made a vow,

He was determined to achieve his “final” goal!

He rolled the dice to pick a date,

Then got the king to seal our fate!

But Esther’s courage helped to squelch this evil soul!

Oh, cut down to size!

Haman’s plans were all in vain!

Bent on genocide,

Not he NOR his remained!

He had plotted, but she thwarted everything!

Esther was strong, stuck to her principles!

This is Purim!!!

We are Jewish and we know

That Amaleks will come and go,

As anti-Semitism sweeps across the land.

But we’re still here, even so,

With a LONG LONG way to go!

Someday we’ll make the other nations understand!

Oh, we must be wise!

We must protect ourselves with strength!

We must realize, when trouble comes again,

That if we have to, we can face anything!

We are strong!

With G-d’s help—Invincible!! This is Purim!!!

Gotta Be - Original Song by Steven Skoblow

Gotta be Gotta be Gotta be Gotta be strong Gotta be Gotta be Gotta be. This year's been much too long Gotta be yeah gotta be in touch with your friends Gotta be gotta be gotta be Gotta be till this ends Was thinking ya gotta be gotta be real Was thinking ya gotta know and gotta show how you feel How do you feel? Was thinking ya gotta stoke that fire within Was thinking ya gotta know things are hard but we're gonna win If we keep hanging in Gotta be gotta be gotta be holding on tight Gotta be gotta be gotta be treating all of us right Gotta be gotta be gotta be where we belong Gotta be gotta be gotta be Gotta be strong Gotta be gotta be gotta be Sometimes you gotta be strong

These Are Bad Times to the tune of: Good Times Bad Times, by Led Zeppelin – featuring the Purim Band, recorded during Purim 2020 – “The Best of British Rock!” lyrics Jonathan Denmark In the days of my youth, I was told what it means to be a man. Now I've reached that age, I've tried to do all those things the best I can. No matter how I try, I can’t ignore that old Haman’s plan. These are, bad times, all Jews they must care, And when Esther left home for a royal man, She’ll convince the King to care. Thirteen: I became a man, Bar Mitzvah was my deed, It only took an Aliyah, then off to help all those in need. So when I heard about this killer, a kick in my rear end, It’s time now to outsmart the jerk, to Haman I won’t bend, oooh. These are, bad times, all Jews they must care, And when Esther left home for a royal man, She’ll convince the King to care. These are, bad times, all Jews they must care, And when Esther left home for a royal man, She’ll convince the King to care. Oh, time now to throw the King a bone. I want the Jews to stay at home. I don't care what the historians say, I'm gonna save us each and every day. Haman will lose the beating of his heart. Realize, at last, with life, he’s gonna part.

With A Little Help From Our Queen to the tune of: With A Little Help From My Friends, as performed by Joe Cocker – Purim Band, recorded during Purim 2018 – “10th Anniversary Celebration – The Greatest Hits of KI Purim”, lyrics by Steven Skoblow What would you do if we told you a tale? Would you stay here and listen to me? Lend us your ears and we'll sing you a song How the Jews find a way to be free We get by with a little help from our Queen We gonna rise with a little help from our Queen We get the prize with a little help from our Queen Oooh Oooh Oooh What do we do when our lives are at stake? (“Do we give up and scatter the tribe?”) What can we say when our freedom they take? (“Do we fold? Do we give up and cry?”) (“It was Esther and Mordechai”) That's why we're here today (“With courage you can't quantify”) Oh they really did something (“oooh oooh oooh oooh”)... We're so very grateful (“oooh oooh oooh oooh”) We get by with a little help from our Queen We gonna rise with a little help from our Queen We get the prize with a little help from our Queen Oooh Oooh Oooh (“Would you believe such a story is true?”) I'm certain it doesn't happen all the time (“How do you feel when we tell it to you?”) We're the Jews yeah. This story's yours and it's mine We get by with a little help from our Queen We gonna rise with a little help from our Queen We get the prize with a little help from our Queen Oooh Oooh Oooh (“It was Esther and Morty”) That's why we celebrate (“That old Haman was naughty”) We're very happy (oooh oooh oooh oooh) Yeah we be groggin' ( oooh oooh oooh oooh) Yeah Yeah We get by with a little help from our Queen We get by with a little help from Our Queen We get by with a little help from our Queen